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"{I hated that I had Asian features, that I didn't have blue eyes and fair hair, because those were the beauty standards at the time," reveals the actress, who voiced Rumi in Netflix's highly successful animated film, KPop Demon Hunters.

The performer, forty, is describing her early years in Texas, as the firstborn child of Korean immigrant parents and her struggle for acceptance in the United States.

In the movie, which tells the story of a female K-Pop trio who must save the world from evil forces, the protagonist has to come to terms with her true nature as part human, part demon – and when she first saw the screenplay, this resonated powerfully.

"Growing up in the US, identifying as American but having others view me like I'm not, trying to figure out my identity as an Asian-American, as a Korean-American, as a woman," she explains.

These were all components of her formative years that paralleled the character's path.

"Truthfully, at different points in my existence, I hated a lot of myself and I longed to become someone else.

"As kids, your surroundings influences your development and it seems I just didn't see enough people that shared my appearance."

When it launched on Netflix in the summer, KPop Demon Hunters achieved 33 million views in just 14 days, and secured the highest positions of the Netflix charts in 93 countries. To be part of the pioneering animation set in Korea, with Asian protagonists, was for Cho "an aspiration realized" – but it has also established her as a powerful role model for Asian-American children, the type that was missing when she was young.

She notes many Korean-Americans have expressed it's "such a refreshing moment", making them feel pride for the first instance of their dual heritage and culture.

"I feel like Korean pop music has genuinely broken barriers. Korean cosmetics has had such a big impact on global appreciation for Korea. But I believe the film is the one that pushed it further, of, inspiring travel to Korea, currently," she comments.

But the film's success was not guaranteed and Cho admits she felt the production crew were "sometimes facing an uphill battle".

"I feel like it kind of sucks to say this, but any time there's an Asian-led project, it's perceived like a gamble," she reveals.

So, when she accepted the part, she made an effort to connect with the entire cast and crew in person, she says.

The film was launched amid increased immigration raids in the US as part of mass deportation efforts, which sparked protests in many states.

As an Asian-American living in the US "it's deeply saddening," she states. "Immigrants have shaped the nation."

Reports have suggested that up to one hundred fifty thousand Korean immigrants without proper documentation, including those who were adopted, are among those who could be deported.

As an grown-up, she came to realise that the prejudice she had encountered when in her youth was largely due to a lack of education, as people didn't know what it signified to be Korean or Asian.

"However today, in this day and age, when I feel like the world and individuals ought to be more informed, it is beyond disappointing and sometimes I feel like there's a sense of despair," she says.

Because of this, it feels very special, she says, that the film could bring "hope and joy and love to all these different communities".

"Perhaps this explains it's sort of like the season's hit film, because there was a need for positivity and something to unite us all together."

The growth of AI is a significant worry for the entertainment sector, raising the possibility that in coming years it could be used to produce a movie like the animation.

The actress acknowledges she is conscious that technology is already being used to replicate actors' voices, but wants to "have hope in humanity" that individuals will still pursue art created by humans.

"Sure, I'm sure they're going to have AI actors and vocalists. I'm aware they're already here. I understand our voices are already being manipulated, but I trust people have some respect and desire for something real."

The film has also been dominating the global music charts, with multiple songs from its score appearing in the prestigious charts. It has its own fan creations, and audiences globally are demanding a follow-up.

Cho reveals she would like to confirm the question of if a sequel is planned – but both she and fans will have to await the streaming service or the studio, which made the film, to approve the project.

"I know rumors are circulating, the feedback is positive," she says. "Only time will tell, and I believe everyone in the world would riot if there wasn't."

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